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Reading Topic #5995

realdeal81 realdeal81 rating
Member since 7-Feb-05
1561 posts, 14 feedbacks, 22 points		 28-Aug-10, 09:33 AM (PST)
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"The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
 
I just went to The Gates website and was suprised to see they're now accepting credit cards. Wow, that could get alot of guys in trouble who have the urge but not the ready cash in hand.

The only drawback I could see is the Gates is asking a 16% service charge for using a credit card. If the Gates reads their credit card merchant agreement, they will find a clause in the contract where they are not allowed to charge any service fees for accepting credit cards and could lose thier right to accept credit cards.


BTW: Just off the top of my head, 16% would be $25.60 on a $160 session. I know The Gates has to pay a merchant fee to accept the card and pay a percentage but it's nowhere near 16%, More like 1-3%

I think accepting credit cards is a step in the right direction. I'm just not sure about the service fees.

For some, the fear of having to reveal their identity might be enough to make them shy away from using credit cards.

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Ovenmitt Ovenmitt rating
Member since 1-Jul-04
156 posts, 1 feedbacks, 2 points		 28-Aug-10, 01:38 PM (PST)
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1. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #0
 
   Three drawbacks to CC in my mind:

1) I really don't want to leave any paper trail that I've gone to a session house.

2) As Readldeal81 suggested, you might go to a session that you really can't afford. I think that being able to stop at an ATM and get the money on the way to the session is a good benchmark.

3) If you have a lousy session it will be a bummer to then get the bill a few weeks later.

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Spend2much
Member since 6-Mar-06
479 posts		 28-Aug-10, 01:52 PM (PST)
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2. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #0
 
   Service charges are not permitted as far as I know. Maybe something changed recently, but I don't think so. They'd better read their contract, before charges are disputed by a customer, just in case.

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realdeal81 realdeal81 rating
Member since 7-Feb-05
1561 posts, 14 feedbacks, 22 points		 28-Aug-10, 03:31 PM (PST)
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3. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #2
 
After thinking about it, I know what she is trying to do. She probably figures she might have a few deadbeats and in the end she will not be paid for the session. The 16% is probably a way to try and balance her losses. Having said that, charging a fee for using a credit card is still against the merchant agreement. I don't know if she could get around it by charging more for the session if paying by credit card but it might be something, she might want to look into. I do know, this is the way some gas stations have handled it by charging more per gallon if you are paying by credit card. This way, you are not charging a fee to use the card.

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jerryvig
Member since 26-Apr-10
8 posts		 28-Aug-10, 08:07 PM (PST)
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4. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #0
 
   This is just bad news all the way around. I don't know who would want to partake in this, given the service charge as well as "discrete" billing. Any billing not recognized by a S.O. would stand out like a sore thumb in my humble opinion.

JV

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realdeal81 realdeal81 rating
Member since 7-Feb-05
1561 posts, 14 feedbacks, 22 points		 28-Aug-10, 08:22 PM (PST)
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5. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #4
 
LAST EDITED ON 28-Aug-10 AT 08:23 PM (PST)
 
Well, the way I look at it, it's just an option. Nobody is being forced to use their credit card. I don't think it's a bad idea. I just question the service fee for using a credit card. If you were single and didn't have a wife or S.O looking over your shoulder, I could see where you might want to use a credit card. For instance, if you learned your favorite dominatrix would be leaving or taking an extended vacation and you wanted to session with her just one more time and was short on cash at the moment, you would still be able to have a session with her. Or even if you are just short on cash but can pay it off at the end of the month when you are paid.

Where's Catherine when you need her to explain The Gates position?

Or anyone from The Gates for that matter?

We hear from Fantasy Makers but not The Gates lately.

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MissCatherine MissCatherine rating
Member since 14-Mar-06
812 posts, 22 feedbacks, 40 points		 28-Aug-10, 10:57 PM (PST)
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6. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #5
 
   LAST EDITED ON 28-Aug-10 AT 11:08 PM (PST)
 
LOL! What an honor to be considered one of voices for the house. I swear if I could go back, I would - I love that house so much! Sadly I cannot be considered the voice of the house anymore because I am not there anymore. I am happy to say nice things about the house - hey, I am biased - you can't fault me for that!

Sage is a smart woman who has had her business for more than a decade. She doesn't need anyone telling her shit. Clearly her track record speaks volumes - how about we note that? We can all sit here and speculate and criticize - yet in the end, isn't change like this what sets the positive groundwork and open the way for others to follow? Maybe there were a lot of clients who suggested this. Maybe the travelling ladies at the house noticed other houses in other cities do it.

Like prostitutes on Eros DONT take credit cards. Get over yourselves. Accepting credit cards is nothing new - The Gates is the FIRST BAY AREA SM place to do it! I know places in NY and LA (dungeons) that take credit cards. Anyone with an iPhone can charge a credit card.

This thread is so negative. Like Real Deal said - "it's just an option.No one is being forced to use their credit card". If you do not like the service charge DON'T USE IT. I know of a lot of mom and pops who refuse to take tips in credit card or charges less than $10 - $25 because of the ridiculous service charges they have to pay. I think it hillarious when assholes try to leave a $10 tip for a service or a meal and that whole $10 is sucked up by the small business merchant processor for service fees - forcing the small business to lose money by paying that employee for the $10 tip out of pocket.

I would think you would ALL be applauding options.

I say hats off to Sage for stepping out and doing what clearly lots of others in different cities are already doing! Great way to take care of your clients!

Catherine
Never mistake my kindness for weakness.

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The_Softest_Touch The_Softest_Touch rating
Member since 26-Aug-06
1272 posts, 23 feedbacks, 38 points		 30-Aug-10, 05:57 PM (PST)
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7. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #6
 
I can't say for sure but I do remember seeing on the news a few months back that the law not allowing merchants to charge a service fee was changing as many places actually lose money by accepting credit cards.

I don't think there is nothing wrong with taking credit cards, a lot of top providers take credit cards. It is up to you if you use that option or not.

xoxo
Amoni

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DominaSage
Member since 7-Feb-05
4 posts		 01-Sep-10, 07:49 AM (PST)
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9. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #6
 
   Catherine: first of all I want to say thanks for your ongoing support and confidence. It means so much to me. And you're right - we've been in business for well over 10 years. The Gates actually turned 16 in August! How time flies....

As to the topic of this thread: We are now offering payment via credit card as an option for those that find it convenient. To reiterate what others have already pointed out: if you don't want to use a credit card, don't. Cash is always welcome. In allowing people to use cards at The Gates I am simply trying to make sessions available to more people.

I'm sure that those that point out the illegality of a "service charge" are only trying to protect me from negative repercussions, and so I would like to say thank you to those individuals. I will be changing the wording on our site to more acceptable verbiage right away.

Now someone from The Gates has officially weighed in on this important topic. Enjoy!

- Sage

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realdeal81 realdeal81 rating
Member since 7-Feb-05
1561 posts, 14 feedbacks, 22 points		 01-Sep-10, 09:02 AM (PST)
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10. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #9
 
Exactly, I commend you for taking the step of allowing customers to use a credit card and as I said in an earlier post, it is just an option. Nobody is being forced.
As some may not realize, a merchant has to pay a percentage fee for letting customers use a credit card. Top that off with a few deadbeats and it can start to cost a buisness more then it's worth.

Thanks for the response.

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eastbabyhuey
Member since 27-Feb-04
32 posts		 18-Sep-10, 05:56 AM (PST)
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11. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #9
 
   I think having the option to pay with a card is a good idea, many providers offer this.

Thanks for providing such a fun place to play for all these years.

Any idea when Larai is coming back?

http://thegatessm.com/Larai.htm

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MissCatherine MissCatherine rating
Member since 14-Mar-06
812 posts, 22 feedbacks, 40 points		 26-Sep-10, 01:37 AM (PST)
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12. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #9
 
   Hello Sage,

It is my pleasure. The house will always be my second home thanks to you and the great ladies who make it a such a special place!

Catherine
Never mistake my kindness for weakness.

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realdeal81 realdeal81 rating
Member since 7-Feb-05
1561 posts, 14 feedbacks, 22 points		 30-Aug-10, 06:47 PM (PST)
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8. "RE: The Gates now accepting credit cards?"
In response to message #0
 
LAST EDITED ON 30-Aug-10 AT 06:52 PM (PST)
 
I knew there was someting I read but wasn't sure if it was a state law or something in the merchant agreement but after doing some research, this is what I found

http://fso.cpasitesolutions.com/premium/le/06_le_ic/fg/fg-merchants.html


Then scroll down and click on states that prohibit credit card surcharges.

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